MoreGuide Dogs
For the first time in her life, a seventy year-old woman was able to walk around her block, at night, by herself. Well, not truly by herself... it was thanks to her super-pup guide dog. As if we needed another reason to love dogs, Beth Oliver from the Southeast Valley Group reached out to us after reading our super pups blog posts (part 1 and part 2) to share a little more about a real life super pup organization.
The Southeast Valley Group, where Beth has volunteered for more than 17 years, is a puppy-raising group that feeds into Guide Dogs for the Blind. The organization places between 2,000-2,500 guides a year to make it a super organization behind the super pups!
What is a Guide Dog?
A seeing eye dog is someone's eyes. While the responsibility that these super pups hold is immense, it is nothing compared to the freedom and independence that the provide to their owners. When you come across these green jacket-clad pups in public, Beth asks that you please don't pet them! They are diligently learning and working.
What Makes a Great Guide Dog?
Guide Dogs for the Blind breed all of their dogs on their main campus in San Rafael, California. Ideal pups are smart, affectionate, easy to train, low key, food motivated, love everyone, and want to please. Because of the breeds' affinities towards these characteristics, most dogs are Golden Retrievers, Labs, or mixes. Although more German Shepherds were used in the past, they are almost successfully phased out due to some physical issues and their propensity to form strong bonds with the family that raises them; this makes it a difficult transition to their forever home.
What Goes Into Raising a Guide Dog?
Guide Dogs for the Blind rely on volunteers and puppy-raising clubs across 10 western states. Volunteers like Beth receive a puppy at 8-10 weeks old, whom they raise for a year to a year-and-a-half. During this time, the pups are transformed through training in obedience, socialization, house behavior, and more before graduation. Volunteers are invited to their pup's graduation in San Rafael, where the pups meet their forever homes.
Cost of a Guide Dog
With all of the work required to raise them, these dogs can cost between $16K-$40K and the guide dog's career lasts about eight years. Unlike most service dog organizations, Guide Dogs for the Blind places their guide dogs with a visually impaired partner at no cost to the partner, and they offer additional financial support for the pup if needed.
Who Needs a Guide Dog?
People who need guide dogs range from recently-blind to blind-since-birth. To qualify, you have to put in an application, pass a guide dog interview, and pass a certain mobility test (so that they know that you can maneuver around with a dog guiding you). They place their guides throughout Canada and the U.S.
How to Help
Of course, Guide Dogs for the Blind is always open to donations. However, they also have a large need for both puppy sitters and puppy raisers. To learn more about how to get involved, visit www.guidedogs.com.
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